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Haghighatnia M, Machac A, Schmickl R, Lafon Placette C. Darwin's 'mystery of mysteries': the role of sexual selection in plant speciation. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1928-1944. [PMID: 37337476 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Sexual selection is considered one of the key processes that contribute to the emergence of new species. While the connection between sexual selection and speciation has been supported by comparative studies, the mechanisms that mediate this connection remain unresolved, especially in plants. Similarly, it is not clear how speciation processes within plant populations translate into large-scale speciation dynamics. Here, we review the mechanisms through which sexual selection, pollination, and mate choice unfold and interact, and how they may ultimately produce reproductive isolation in plants. We also overview reproductive strategies that might influence sexual selection in plants and illustrate how functional traits might connect speciation at the population level (population differentiation, evolution of reproductive barriers; i.e. microevolution) with evolution above the species level (macroevolution). We also identify outstanding questions in the field, and suitable data and tools for their resolution. Altogether, this effort motivates further research focused on plants, which might potentially broaden our general understanding of speciation by sexual selection, a major concept in evolutionary biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadjavad Haghighatnia
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benatska 2, Prague, CZ-128 01, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, Průhonice, 252 43, Czech Republic
| | - Antonin Machac
- Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, Prague, 14220, Czech Republic
| | - Roswitha Schmickl
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benatska 2, Prague, CZ-128 01, Czech Republic
- Institute of Botany, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, Průhonice, 252 43, Czech Republic
| | - Clément Lafon Placette
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Benatska 2, Prague, CZ-128 01, Czech Republic
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Wang H, Barrett SCH, Li XY, Niu Y, Duan YW, Zhang ZQ, Li QJ. Sexual conflict in protandrous flowers and the evolution of gynodioecy. Evolution 2020; 75:278-293. [PMID: 33080057 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Sexual interference between male and female function in hermaphrodite plants is reduced by protandry. In environments with insufficient pollinator service, prolongation of male function owing to limited pollen removal could restrict the duration of female function and lower seed production. We provide evidence that this form of sexual conflict has played a role in the spread of females in gynodioecious populations of Cyananthus delavayi in the pollen-limited environments in which this subalpine species occurs. Using field experiments involving artificial pollen removal from the strongly protandrous flowers of hermaphrodites, we demonstrated a trade-off between male- and female-phase duration with no influence on overall floral longevity. Pollen removal at the beginning of anthesis resulted in hermaphrodite seed production matching that of females. In contrast, restricted pollen removal increased the duration of male function at the expense of female function lowering maternal fertility compared to females. This pattern was evident in five populations with females experiencing a twofold average seed fertility advantage compared to hermaphrodites. Gynodioecy often appears to evolve from protandrous ancestors and pollen limitation is widespread in flowering plants suggesting that sexual conflict may play an unappreciated role in the evolution of this form of sexual dimorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.,Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Spencer C H Barrett
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Xue-Yan Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.,Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yang Niu
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Yuan-Wen Duan
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.,Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Qing-Jun Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.,Laboratory of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
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Madjidian JA, Smith HG, Andersson S, Lankinen Å. Direct and indirect selection on mate choice during pollen competition: Effects of male and female sexual traits on offspring performance following two-donor crosses. J Evol Biol 2020; 33:1452-1467. [PMID: 33463845 PMCID: PMC7589368 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mate choice in plants is poorly understood, in particular its indirect genetic benefits, but also the direct benefits of avoiding harmful matings. In the herb Collinsia heterophylla, delayed stigma receptivity has been suggested to enhance pollen competition, potentially functioning as a female mate choice trait. Previous studies show that this trait can mitigate the cost of early fertilization caused by pollen, thus providing a direct benefit. We performed two-donor pollinations during successive floral stages to assess how this stigma receptivity trait and two pollen traits known to affect siring success influence indirect benefits in terms of offspring performance. We also investigated differential resource allocation by studying the influence of sibling performance in the same capsule. Offspring performance in terms of flower number was mainly affected by parental identities and differential resource allocation. Offspring seed production showed some influence of resource allocation, but was also affected by pollen donor identity and varied positively with late stigma receptivity. However, the effect of late stigma receptivity on offspring seed production was weakened in matings with pollen that advanced stigma receptivity. In conclusion, delayed stigma receptivity may be selected through both direct and indirect fitness effects in C. heterophylla, where pollen-based delay on stigma receptivity might act as a cue for mate choice. However, selection may also be counteracted by antagonistic selection on pollen to advance stigma receptivity. Our results highlight the challenges of studying indirect genetic benefits and other factors that influence mate choice in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefin A. Madjidian
- BiodiversityDepartment of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
- Center for Environmental and Climate ResearchLund UniversityLundSweden
| | - Henrik G. Smith
- BiodiversityDepartment of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
- Center for Environmental and Climate ResearchLund UniversityLundSweden
| | | | - Åsa Lankinen
- BiodiversityDepartment of BiologyLund UniversityLundSweden
- Plant Protection BiologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesAlnarpSweden
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Lankinen Å, Hydbom S, Strandh M. Sexually antagonistic evolution caused by male-male competition in the pistil. Evolution 2017; 71:2359-2369. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Lankinen
- Deparment of Plant Protection Biology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; S-230 53 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Sofia Hydbom
- Deparment of Plant Protection Biology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; S-230 53 Alnarp Sweden
- Department of Biology; Lund University; S-223 62 Lund Sweden
| | - Maria Strandh
- Deparment of Plant Protection Biology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; S-230 53 Alnarp Sweden
- Department of Biology; Lund University; S-223 62 Lund Sweden
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Lankinen Å, Hydbom S. Effects of soil resources on expression of a sexual conflict over timing of stigma receptivity in a mixed-mating plant. OIKOS 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.03749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Åsa Lankinen
- Plant Protection Biology; Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences; PO Box 102 SE-230 53 Alnarp Sweden
| | - Sofia Hydbom
- Plant Protection Biology; Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences; PO Box 102 SE-230 53 Alnarp Sweden
- Dept of Biology; Lund University; Ecology Building Lund Sweden
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